Why?” (It Chose Me)

[Intro]
Why…?
Why did you join her…? (Why)
[faint] Hush now, little flames… don’t you cry…

[Verse 1]
Why did I join her?—you cut it in two
Like there was a road I refused to choose
Like I stood at a crossroads, steady and free—
I didn’t choose this… (why)
it chose me.
Smoke in my lungs, steel in my hand
Raised in the ruin you taught me to stand
Every step forward, every decree—
I didn’t choose this… (hush little flame)
it chose me.

[Pre-Chorus]
I stood on your walls, I learned your war
Heard the same prayers a thousand times before
Win or lose, it’s all the same— (why)
Another grave, another name
(faint) Close your eyes… the dark will pass…
Why… why… does it never end? (Hush little flame)

[Chorus]
Why does the fire never die?
Why do we trade our lives for time?
Why do we call this holding on
When everything we love is gone?
You taught me how to stand and bleed
But not how to stop what’s hunting me
So when she said it could be done—
I didn’t choose this… (hush little flame)
I was the one.

[Verse 2]
There was a time I was marked to ride
A place at the Prophet’s side
Then something faded—I felt it go (why)
No voice, no fire, just silence below
Like I was chosen—then denied
Why…?
Strongcastle burned, you held your ground
Smallwater shook but still we stand
Why… do we call that victory
When all it is… is memory?

[Pre-Chorus]
You gave me courage, I won’t deny
But courage just teaches a man how to die
I kept waiting for something more— (why)
(soft) Hush now, little flames… stay asleep…
A reason worth all we’re dying for
(Hush little flame)

[Chorus]
Why does the fire never die?
Why do we live just to survive?
Why does the end stay out of reach
No matter what the stories preach?
You taught me how to take the pain
She taught me we could break the chain
So when she showed another way—
I didn’t choose this… (hush little flame)
I couldn’t stay.

[Bridge]
I know there’s something in her gaze
Something older than our days
But it sees me… doesn’t turn (why)
Like I’m still something it can burn
There was a voice that used to call
Now there’s nothing there at all
[cold] Hush now… don’t you cry…
Why… why… was I let go?

[Outro]
Why…? (Why)
Because you taught me how to fight—
[soft] Hush now, little flames… (hush)
…and she taught me how to end it.
I didn’t choose this…
it chose me.
Why…

Dark cinematic duet, male lead w/ haunting female echoes, lullaby whispers, tragic rise, war-torn, slow build to explosi